Sexual disorders in Huntington's disease

Abstract

This study assessed the frequency and type of sexual disorders associated with Huntington's disease (HD) in an unbiased sample. Of 39 HD patients and 32 of their partners, 82% and 66%, respectively, had one or more sexual disorders by DSM-III-R criteria. The most frequent for both groups was hypoactive sexual disorder. Significantly more patients who had both inhibited orgasm and increased sexual interest also had paraphilic disorders. Findings support the hypotheses that sexual disorders are frequent among HD patients and their partners and that sexual disorders among HD patients may take the form of increased sexual interest or paraphilias. The association between inhibited orgasm, increased sexual interest, and paraphilic disorders will require further investigation but suggests a possible etiology for some paraphilias.